POLICE have confirmed that some people found dead in Manchester's canal system were deliberately pushed, as it has emerged the number of bodies pulled from the waterways has risen.

Greater Manchester Police has, however, strongly refuted claims any of the deaths were at the hands of an alleged serial killer who has been dubbed "The Pusher" by locals.

The force took the unusual step of publishing a YouTube video refuting any suggestion a serial killer was at large in the city ahead of a Channel 4 documentary broadcast last night on the deaths entitled Manchester’s Serial Killer?

The story first surfaced a year ago when the Daily Star revealed the shocking number of bodies pulled from canals across Manchester.

A freedom of information release from the force to the paper revealed that between February 2008 and December 2014 61 bodies were pulled from the canals, mostly men, with several of the deaths recorded as unexplainable with open verdicts given at inquests.

Now figures from January 2015 to now show a total of 85 canal-related deaths - a rise of 24 in just over 12 months.

Still 28 of the deaths - nearly a third remain unexplained.

After widespread coverage that followed the initial story last January the force carried out a review of all the cases.

He has concluded they are all isolated incidents and there was no evidence of The Pusher - which he branded just a myth, being at large.